HARPERS FERRY, W.V. (Nov. 15, 2016) – The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is proud to present the second short film in the myATstory video series, “Trail Angels.” The film follows the experiences of the Rocky Top Trail Crew, which maintains the rugged and heavily used section of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) running through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Trail crews and maintaining clubs are some of the biggest heroes on the Appalachian Trail,” said Javier Folgar, director of marketing and communications for the ATC. “The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recognizes how important it is to celebrate these volunteers, as well as to highlight the need for continuing maintenance and protection of the Trail.”

The crew featured in “Trail Angels” gathered from across the world, including multiple first-time backpackers, to contribute their time and effort to improving the A.T. The experience helped them not only foster a stronger appreciation for the outdoors, but also the importance of teamwork and cooperation in the preservation of America's wild spaces.

“Many people don’t really get a chance to experience this Trail or even set foot on it,” said Henry “Riko” Harris, a volunteer from Chicago. “So for me to be able to come out here and work on it — that’s a great chance that I’m able to do it.”

The film also features famed long-distance hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, who speaks about the importance of Trail maintaining crews and other forms of volunteer work in preserving the A.T. hiking experience.

“The Trail meets you at every phase of life, but it’s important that, in every season of your life, you think about giving back to the Trail,” she said. “There are 31 clubs up and down the A.T. where you can get involved and go out for a fun day of working really hard — moving rocks and building water bars. It’s so important.”

Developed through the collaboration of the ATC, Horizonline Pictures and executive producers Rubén and Valerie Rosales, the myATstory video series is a part of a larger campaign to showcase that the ATC mission is also the Trail community’s mission. The series does not focus exclusively on hikers, instead showing how other groups and individuals have become involved with the A.T. — sometimes without even setting foot on the Trail itself.

To view “Trail Angels,” see the schedule of upcoming videos and learn about the myATstory Contest — where visitors can share their own A.T. stories for a chance to win great backpacking prizes — visit myATstory.org.

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.